Yanks' Deal Addresses Lesser Needs

MILWAUKEE — Pitching has been the Yankees' glaring shortcoming, but they have had other problems this season. They have needed another right-handed hitter and a regular shortstop.

Late Tuesday night, the Yankees addressed their secondary needs. They acquired Ron Kittle, a power-hitting designated hitter, from the Chicago White Sox along with Wayne Tolleson, who will become their everyday shortstop, and Joel Skinner, who will be their regular catcher.

To Chicago, the Yankees sent Ron Hassey, a left-handed hitting catcher, Carlos Martinez, a highly regarded minor-league shortstop, and a player to be named later.

The deal was announced just moments after the Yankees lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-4. The Brewers completed a three-game sweep Wednesday with a 5-0 victory.

The move took Hassey by surprise.

''Our biggest need is not hitting,'' Hassey said. ''Everyone knows that.'' Hassey, 33, had six home runs this season and batted .298 in 64 games.

Kittle, 28, has 17 home runs and 48 RBIs this season but is hitting just .213. In his debut as a Yankee Wednesday, he struck out three times and walked once.

Yankees Manager Lou Piniella said that Kittle would be the designated hitter against left-handed pitching.